Occupying a prime spot on Limassol’s coast, the award-winning Royal Apollonia Hotel is a great choice to enjoy some winter sun in luxurious surroundings.
Cyprus enjoys mild winters and plenty of sunshine and during our very cold November here in the UK, The Royal Apollonia’s indoor and outdoor pools, spa, gym and multiple restaurants sounded like the perfect tonic.
Indulging in the hotel’s all-inclusive offering meant that all food and drinks were in with the price and we can definitely recommend paying the extra for the quality of the food, wine and cocktails included.
Belonging to the Louis Hotels’ portfolio of luxury properties, The Royal Apollonia’s beach front location on Harmony Beach is an impressive one, with an incredible pool area and expansive terraces which benefit from stunning uninterrupted views across the cerulean Mediterranean sea.
The lobby area is impressive, flowing seamlessly into the luxurious Luna Lounge and Terrace. Open from 8am until midnight, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy morning coffee while you cool off outside, or for evening relaxation as you melt into soft velvet chairs after a day in the sunshine, whilst listening to the live music, cocktail in hand.
Rooms range from superior (many with sea views) right through to the honeymoon and deluxe suites. Our superior sea view room on the sixth floor had the most amazing views of the ocean, as well as the pool area below and the perfectly manicured gardens which surrounded it.
Elegant yet minimalistic, our room exuded calm, largely due to the colour scheme and balcony floor-to-ceiling glass which let all the light in. Waking up to the sound of the sea and the relaxing blue of the sea and sky is definitely worth paying the extra for.
As well as this restaurant, the all-inclusive package allows for one dining experience each week at Japanese restaurant Akakiko, and for Greek food lovers, at Alati.
By far the better experience for food and ambience, the interiors at Akakiko are stunning – like dining at a restaurant in London’s Mayfair with uber expensive furnishings and ambient lighting. We loved the set menu offering up everything from crunchy prawn toast packed with delicious fresh seafood, to tofu sushi freshly rolled in avocado.
As premium all-inclusive guests, you really can take full advantage with every opportunity to indulge in as much food and drink as you can handle! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Aura with a main indoor restaurant and a sun drenched terrace. At lunch and evening service, you can enjoy a range of salads, meats, cheeses, pastas and local delicacies and a different theme each night ranging from Cypriot to Mexican. At breakfast, there’s everything you can possibly think of from pancakes through to omelettes, fresh juices, salad, salmons, sausages, bacon and cereals.
In contrast, Alati offered a much simpler menu of Greek salad, zucchini frites and honey and pistachio cheese, followed by mains of octopus and lamb shank. Both of these restaurants offer a set menu but they’re happy to change it up if there’s something you don’t like.
If spas are high on your list of priorities for a luxury holiday, The Royal Spa at the Roya Apollonia will not disappoint. Immediately making us feel relaxed with its dimly lit pool and aromatherapy scents, a few lengths and a sauna and steam were the perfect way to build up an appetite pre-dinner, while the gym is also located here and is very well-equipped with several weights and high tech cardio machines. While we didn’t have any treatments during our stay, there’s a plentiful menu with everything from facials to exfoliations, massages, waxing, hydrotherapy and even infrared heated blankets!
With a number of bars including the swim up bar outside and the Luna Lounge, one of the highlights of staying at the Royal Apollonia is the ability to order everything on the Exclusivi app. Whether you fancy a cocktail with extra gin, an iced coffee with extra cream and sugar, or just a cup of tea, you can place your order at the click of a button, adding notes for any special requests. Each lounger by the pool and each table on the terraces and at the bars are all clearly numbered, and your drinks are literally there within minutes.
We loved being able to spend the morning by the massive outdoor pool with views of the sea, and the afternoon at the beach which is just a few steps away. All of the loungers are ultra luxurious and super-thick, so you’ll feel like you’re relaxing on an actual bed!
Off season is a wonderful time to visit with temperatures in the mid twenties every day and the benefit of a much quieter hotel experience (and therefore in my opinion, a much more personal and dedicated service from staff). Limassol town is just a 15 minute taxi away and there’s plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy, although you’ll probably find you have everything you could possibly want without setting foot outside the Royal Apollonia’s front doors!
Book your stay at the five star all-inclusive Royal Apollonia Hotel here.
